Le goût du vin

I live in France so can understand the obsession some have with wine. Why such an overall low rating? This was beautifully acted with a believable open ending. No rush at the end to tie things up. It was great to watch a black film without a feeling of dread.

Prentice Penny did an exceptional job directing. He's definitely in the Barry Jenkins, Ava DúVernay & Issa Rae Club. Actors moved organically through each scene. Courtney Vance and Niecy Nash chemistry was amazing with great timing and Mamoudou Athie impressively nailed the preoccupied sommelier apprentice role.

This is not a movie about wine or becoming a sommelier although there are aspects of that. It is a movie about relationships, family life and respect and love. A movie bout ambition and fulfilling dreams that both you have and others have for you. The characters seemed normal and there is so much going on that is relatable. Highlight for me was the terrifically chosen soundtrack. I really enjoyed this.

It's nice to watch a movie about a black man in America immersed in black culture that isn't centered on violence and hip hop music. Kudos to Mamoudou Athie and Courtney Vance for superior acting.

Uncorked (2020) is a movie my wife and I watched together on Netflix during the pandemic. The storyline follows a young man whose father is a farm and restaurant owner and wants his son to follow in his footsteps. Instead, the son wants to go to school to become a master sommelier. The son tries to manage both his father's business and his dreams but eventually the paths will have to separate and how it impacts their relationship and direction may be a challenge.

This movie is directed by Prentice Penny (Insecure) in his directorial debut and stars Courtney B. Vance (Dangerous Minds), Mamoudou Athie (The Circle), Sasha Compère (Love Life), Niecy Nash (Reno 911!) and Kelly Jenrette (The Hand's Maid Tale).

The character development and portrayal in this is excellent. The writing around the dialogue, father/son dynamic and character evolution was triumphant and pulls at your heart strings. The main character is easy to root for and the vision and dedication was well portrayed. The cast overall was captivating. The ending of the movie was great and felt authentic.

Overall this is a very well done picture that is definitely worth a viewing. I would score this an 8/10 and strongly recommend it.